03-14-2006, 09:59 PM
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]The state of environmental science and management in the Delaware Estuary has been assessed in a “white paper” just released by the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (Partnership), one of 28 National Estuary Programs. This authoritative report highlights the most pressing scientific needs in the estuary and provides a blueprint to direct actions while meeting those needs.[/size][/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Authored by eleven noted scientists and resource managers from throughout the region, the “White Paper on the Status and Needs of Science in the Delaware Estuary” is the first ever comprehensive attempt to discuss the signature traits and environmental issues that distinguish this system from other nationally important estuaries. It draws on the key points made by more than 130 presenters and 250 attendees from 10 states, all of which participated in the two-part Delaware Estuary Science Conference that took place in January and May of 2005.[/size][/font]
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[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Kathy Klein, executive director for the Partnership, noted that, “In the context of one of the most strategic and commercially important ports in the nation, we also have nationally significant natural resources, such as oysters, horseshoe crabs, shorebirds and extensive wetlands, including tidal freshwater marshes that are rare elsewhere. This white paper gives us the scientific footing to contrast what makes our system special compared to other large estuaries. It also allows us to prioritize the use of limited resources in a way that most effectively addresses the greatest environmental threats, including both natural and man-made disasters.”[/font][/size]
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[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]The Partnership’s Science Coordinator, Danielle Kreeger, said, “The physical features, ecology, history, and threats to environmental integrity in the Delaware Estuary and Watershed are unlike any other in the world. This white paper is an important first step in capturing this unique essence and developing a strategic path forward.”[/size][/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]The white paper categorizes science needs into a “top ten” list of technical needs, as well as six priority operational needs. The top technical need is developing a better understanding of the status and effects of environmental contaminants, including legacy pollutants that still exist from the Industrial Revolution, and new substances of emerging concern. The second highest-rated technical need is identified as assessing the status, trends and safeguarding of tidal wetlands, which are especially extensive in the Delaware Estuary compared to others in the mid-Atlantic region.[/size][/font]
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[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Mindful of the many lessons from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Kreeger added, “Like the Mississippi Delta area, the Delaware Estuary has historically been rich in tidal wetlands that provide crucial ecosystem services. These could be imperiled by altered hydrodynamics and sediment budgets, rising sea level, and limited areas for landward retreat.”[/font][/size]
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[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]To address science needs, the white paper outlines a list of actions being implemented by the Partnership. For example, a new Science and Technical Advisory Committee is planned to provide peer review and guidance for expanding the technical capabilities of the Partnership. To ensure a continued focus on science and management activities, as well as needs in the estuary, the Partnership is also planning to reconvene the science conference on a regular basis, with the next meeting slated for January 2007.[/size][/font]
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[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Furthermore, the Partnership intends to initiate a wetlands agenda that includes an updated, comprehensive inventory of these resources. It plans to take a leadership role in this endeavor, including the preservation, enhancement, and restoration of tidal marshes and adjacent buffer habitats wherever opportunities arise.[/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"] [/font][/size]The white paper is available for download in portable document format (PDF) at www.DelawareEstuary.org. To locate it, simply proceed to the “Datasets and Reports” Web page under “Science and Research.” For additional information, please call the Partnership at (800) 445-4935.
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Authored by eleven noted scientists and resource managers from throughout the region, the “White Paper on the Status and Needs of Science in the Delaware Estuary” is the first ever comprehensive attempt to discuss the signature traits and environmental issues that distinguish this system from other nationally important estuaries. It draws on the key points made by more than 130 presenters and 250 attendees from 10 states, all of which participated in the two-part Delaware Estuary Science Conference that took place in January and May of 2005.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Kathy Klein, executive director for the Partnership, noted that, “In the context of one of the most strategic and commercially important ports in the nation, we also have nationally significant natural resources, such as oysters, horseshoe crabs, shorebirds and extensive wetlands, including tidal freshwater marshes that are rare elsewhere. This white paper gives us the scientific footing to contrast what makes our system special compared to other large estuaries. It also allows us to prioritize the use of limited resources in a way that most effectively addresses the greatest environmental threats, including both natural and man-made disasters.”[/font][/size]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]The Partnership’s Science Coordinator, Danielle Kreeger, said, “The physical features, ecology, history, and threats to environmental integrity in the Delaware Estuary and Watershed are unlike any other in the world. This white paper is an important first step in capturing this unique essence and developing a strategic path forward.”[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]The white paper categorizes science needs into a “top ten” list of technical needs, as well as six priority operational needs. The top technical need is developing a better understanding of the status and effects of environmental contaminants, including legacy pollutants that still exist from the Industrial Revolution, and new substances of emerging concern. The second highest-rated technical need is identified as assessing the status, trends and safeguarding of tidal wetlands, which are especially extensive in the Delaware Estuary compared to others in the mid-Atlantic region.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Mindful of the many lessons from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Kreeger added, “Like the Mississippi Delta area, the Delaware Estuary has historically been rich in tidal wetlands that provide crucial ecosystem services. These could be imperiled by altered hydrodynamics and sediment budgets, rising sea level, and limited areas for landward retreat.”[/font][/size]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]To address science needs, the white paper outlines a list of actions being implemented by the Partnership. For example, a new Science and Technical Advisory Committee is planned to provide peer review and guidance for expanding the technical capabilities of the Partnership. To ensure a continued focus on science and management activities, as well as needs in the estuary, the Partnership is also planning to reconvene the science conference on a regular basis, with the next meeting slated for January 2007.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Furthermore, the Partnership intends to initiate a wetlands agenda that includes an updated, comprehensive inventory of these resources. It plans to take a leadership role in this endeavor, including the preservation, enhancement, and restoration of tidal marshes and adjacent buffer habitats wherever opportunities arise.[/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"] [/font][/size]The white paper is available for download in portable document format (PDF) at www.DelawareEstuary.org. To locate it, simply proceed to the “Datasets and Reports” Web page under “Science and Research.” For additional information, please call the Partnership at (800) 445-4935.